How to Improve Your IQ

With a few simple tips, you can increase your IQ by one standard deviation. Challenge your brain by changing your habits, reading books, solving puzzles, and trying new experiences to boost your IQ. Additionally, make sure to include protein, B vitamins, and get proper rest to enhance your brain's flexibility. A healthy diet and lifestyle can bring about amazing changes. Are you ready to give it a try?

Do everyday tasks in an unusual way. Challenge your brain to form new neural pathways by altering how you perform familiar activities. For example, brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand, walk backward, or speak to yourself in another language. Try doing anything that breaks from your usual routine! This will create new neural connections and pathways in your brain. We often take life for granted, especially when we're proficient at basic tasks. By choosing to act unconventionally, your brain will have the opportunity to learn new skills and be challenged more.

Meditation. Numerous studies show that meditation not only helps reduce stress and regulate mood, but also benefits brain function. It has been proven to improve blood circulation to the brain, patience, focus, and memory. Meditation also aids in relaxation.

• Try meditating for 30 minutes daily. You can meditate 2-3 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each session. It’s best to meditate right after waking up, after exercising, and before going to bed.

Consider using supplements. Natural supplements are a safe way to support brain health. Always consult with a doctor to ensure you're using the right dosage. The following substances have scientific backing:

• Caffeine
• Creatine
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Engage in regular aerobic exercises. Studies by Win Wenger show that breathing is linked to focus. Try swimming or jogging. If not, any form of aerobic exercise will work. Aim to exercise twice a day for 45 minutes when you wake up and before bed. To enhance the benefits, combine meditation after your workout.

• This is great for your waistline and overall fitness, while also boosting your mood. The endorphins released during exercise enhance brain activity and help you feel more energized.

Sleep when your brain truly needs it. Some people concentrate best at 9 a.m., while others are more awake at 9 p.m. Some even work most efficiently at 2 a.m. or after their third cup of coffee. Since everyone’s internal clock is different, simply sleep when your brain feels it’s time. Do you work best at night? Then, go ahead and sleep later. You’re not lazy, just making a smart choice!

• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep every night. When you’re tired, your brain can’t perform at its peak. It shifts into “hibernate” mode, only performing essential functions to sustain life and breath. Inconsistent sleep patterns hinder brain development and can lead to both physical and mental health issues over time.

Read more books. In addition to genetics, education plays a crucial role in shaping your intelligence. Explore scientific fields like math and physics. Science helps you understand the world around you, which in turn enhances your awareness, vocabulary, mathematical analysis, spatial geometry, and critical thinking.

• You can enroll in MIT OpenCourseware to access lessons, curriculums, and tests from over 1800 MIT courses. Also, enhance your knowledge through sites like Coursera, KhanAcademy, or even YouTube.

Solve word puzzles and play problem-solving games. To fight off memory loss and stimulate your brain, make a habit of solving puzzles and playing games. In today’s digital age, this means spending more time on the internet and on your phone! Download apps like Lumosity, What Saying, Quiz Up, and other games that challenge your brain. Stop playing Candy Crush and invest that time in boosting your IQ!

• The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Stanford-Binet intelligence tests are complex measures. You’ll be tasked with solving various problems to assess your ability to process information, understand requests, and recognize patterns.

Take tests multiple times. Just like needing to retake a high school chemistry test four times to pass, IQ tests are equally challenging. Each test has a basic structure with similar types of questions. The more often you take the test, the better your results will be.

• Free online IQ tests differ from the real tests offered at job centers or by psychologists. To know your true IQ score, you must take an official test, which typically comes with a fee. So, give it your best effort!

Try new experiences. When you repeat the same tasks, your brain shifts into ‘autopilot’ mode. It stops responding to stimuli and becomes comfortable with the status quo. However, when you encounter new experiences, your brain awakens, works at full capacity, and becomes more alert due to the change. Instead of watching movies, consider visiting a museum, attending a performance, or exploring new places to stimulate your biological clock.

• Even visiting new places or trying new foods can be an exciting experience. This broadens your knowledge and equips you with useful information to make better decisions in the future. Remember, the more variety you experience, the better. You can even justify this as a reason for a rewarding vacation!

Self-learn new things. Actively learning new things enables your brain to form unique neural connections. Learning skills such as playing chess, basketball, juggling, or any activity you’ve never tried before will enhance brain function in ways you wouldn't expect.

• Learning a new language is a great way to stimulate the brain and create new neural pathways. Not only does this activate underused areas of the brain, but it also produces impressive and practical real-world results.

Eat a protein-rich breakfast. Protein boosts the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, which enhance your alertness and problem-solving abilities.

• This is a crucial part of your breakfast that helps you stay energized throughout the day. A sugary breakfast, on the other hand, can lead to fatigue, sluggishness, and increased hunger after a few hours.

Snack on dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and flavonoids. It is also rich in magnesium, vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. With its high antioxidant content, dark chocolate effectively neutralizes free radicals. By adding dark chocolate to your diet, your body will become healthier and stronger.

• However, do not consume too much dark chocolate; 30-140g per day is enough.

Take vitamin B supplements. This small nutrient enhances blood circulation to the brain. Vitamin B can be found in green vegetables, whole grains, meat, eggs, and cheese. Just make sure not to take excessive amounts of B vitamins! Consult with your doctor to determine the right dosage for you.

• Folic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin are all components of the B-vitamin complex. By supplementing vitamin B, you provide your body with a range of essential nutrients.

Avoid processed foods and snacks. Many studies suggest that a healthy diet contributes to an increased IQ, especially in children. To maximize brain function, avoid junk food like cookies, chips, and processed foods. Prepare meals at home to benefit both your brain and your wallet.

• Vegetarians, regardless of gender, typically have an IQ that is about 5 points higher than those who are not. To boost your IQ, try incorporating a vegetarian day into your weekly routine.

Consider intermittent fasting methods. This method is believed to be effective in enhancing both health and brain function. You fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window. Depending on the approach, you may need to limit your calorie intake or not.

• You can also use this method to control your weight. Many people who try intermittent fasting report great weight loss results. Just make sure to do it safely – fasting is not for everyone (elderly people, pregnant women, and young children should avoid trying this method).